Tigers manager not ready to give up on season

The Detroit Tigers are 46-47 on the season and despite a talent laden roster the front office reportedly is ready to be sellers at the trade deadline. While many would agree that the Tigers have failed to meet expectations, manager Brad Ausmus is not ready to give up on the season.

“We are four games out of a wild-card spot. I wouldn’t say we are falling out of the race,” Ausmus said Tuesday via ESPN. “I am disappointed in our record [46-47], no question. But I don’t subscribe to the theory that we are out of it. Four games out of a playoff spot is far from out of it.”

The Tigers face decisions on end of year free agents David Price and Yoenis Cespedes. They can choose to trade them now or risk losing them for nothing via free agency.

“The record isn’t what they wanted,” Ausmus said. “But I’d be willing to bet they will tell you, if given the opportunity to play the next two months together, this team will end up where it’s supposed to be — a winning team.”

“I’m in charge of the team, so absolutely it falls on me,” he said. “When I say I am disappointed in our record, I am. But I am not disappointed in the effort of the players. The effort is there, and that includes the coaching staff.

“But I will take the blame for it because of what my job title is. But I still firmly believe it’s a six-month season, and in the end our record will be what it’s supposed to be.”

Marred in third in the AL Central, the Tigers are 4 games out of a Wild Card spot and 10.5 games behind the division leading Kansas City Royals.